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Genesis 35:16-29 “Birth & Death, Joy & Sorrow”
“Rachel was about to die, but with her last breath she named the baby Ben-oni (which means ‘son of my sorrow’). The baby’s father, however, called him Benjamin (which means ‘son of my right hand’).” Genesis 35:18 (NLT) In Biblical times it was common to name one’s child according to the circumstances of his or…
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Genesis 35:1-15 “Back to Bethel”
“Then God said to Jacob, ‘Get ready and move to Bethel and settle there. Build an altar there to the God who appeared to you when you fled from your brother, Esau.’” Genesis 35:1 (NLT) Jacob was in a hot mess. Because of the brutal incident at Shechem, he feared for his life. Jacob also…
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Genesis 34 “The Dinah Disaster”
“But here is a solution. If every man among you will be circumcised like we are, then we will give you our daughters, and we’ll take your daughters for ourselves. We will live among you and become one people.” Genesis 34:15–16 (NLT) Sometimes life takes us down a path we would never have anticipated. When…
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Genesis 33 “Jacob and Esau Meet”
“Then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. And they both wept.” Genesis 33:4 (NLT) Estrangement between family members is painful. Whether it is between husband and wife, parents and children, or brothers and sisters, the separation we feel brings anxiety. Over time, that separation…
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Genesis 32:22-32 “Wrestling with God”
“When the man saw that he would not win the match, he touched Jacob’s hip and wrenched it out of its socket.” Genesis 32:25 (NLT) Our seven-year-old grandson Brennan likes to wrestle. I don’t mean the normal wrestling that all children do with their parents to get what they want. Brennan actually competes in wrestling…
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Genesis 32:1-21 “Preparing to Meet Esau”
“O LORD, please rescue me from the hand of my brother, Esau. I am afraid that he is coming to attack me, along with my wives and children.” Genesis 32:11 (NLT) There are times of desperation in our lives when we don’t know what to do, and we feel there is no way of escape.…
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Genesis 31:22-55 “Confrontation and Covenant”
“Then Jacob became very angry, and he challenged Laban. ‘What’s my crime?’ he demanded. ‘What have I done wrong to make you chase after me as though I were a criminal?’” Genesis 31:36 (NLT) It’s not always easy to say goodbye. With those we love we may shed tears of sorrow. With Jacob and Laban,…
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Genesis 31:1-21 “Jacob Flees from Laban”
“I am the God who appeared to you at Bethel, the place where you anointed the pillar of stone and made your vow to me. Now get ready and leave this country and return to the land of your birth.” Genesis 31:13 (NLT) Six years earlier, Jacob had wanted to leave Padan Aram to return…
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Genesis 30:25-43 “Jacob Increases His Wealth”
“As a result, Jacob became very wealthy, with large flocks of sheep and goats, female and male servants, and many camels and donkeys.” Genesis 30:43 (NLT) Where does wealth come from? How is it that some people prosper, while others can never get ahead? When God appeared to Jacob in a dream, as he was…
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Genesis 29:31-30:24 “Tale of Two Sisters”
“When Rachel saw that she wasn’t having any children for Jacob, she became jealous of her sister. She pleaded with Jacob, ‘Give me children, or I’ll die!’” Genesis 30:1 (NLT) Sometimes my wife has watched the television program “Sister Wives.” I must admit that I’m intrigued by how all this works out. Don’t the wives…
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